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Training Responses

I'm in the midst of reading Rory Miller's latest book, Facing Violence. For those who haven't read it, he covers seven stages of self protection in a very clear and in depth manner. One issue that got me thinking is trained responses. Miller writes that in cases of being ambushed or surprised with an attack, one should use one technique that has been trained to a conditioned response. He shows a few variatons, both excellent, which protect, attack, and close distance simulataneously. The reasoning placed behind this is that taking extra time to think about specific responses is far to slow and unworkable. I thought of this in terms of karate training. Is there a downside to learning so many kata and so many techniques? Many karate-ka have a tool case of weapons for everything, but does this not complicate the matter as they are much more likely to think before acting? Is it the responsibility of the karate-ka to find their particularly favorite response and train and condition it? How many actually do this? Hope my question was clear and would love to hear some opinions on it.

I thought of this in terms of karate training. Is there a downside to learning so many kata and so many techniques? Many karate-ka have a tool case of weapons for everything, but does this not complicate the matter as they are much more likely to think before acting?

I would say the key is to prioritise and order the knowledge you have. There is nothing wrong with having a wide knowledge base to draw on –indeed that can be very useful – but it is important to know what your openers will be. For me, it is a right slap when I can be pre-emptive, and dropping my head and driving my hands towards the enemy’s face when the enemy has the initiative (start of Kushanku). Everything else I’ve learnt flows off that and backs that up. Those two methods are drilled extensively so that they are “go to” motions. So I don’t see a downside to extensive study, but that study does need to be structured and prioritised.

Important topic this and I think it will made for a very valuable thread.

Agreed. It comes down to how you are training - not what you are training. If you never take your Kata or Applications into the realm of pressure testing drills or fairly intense sparring sessions, then you won’t have those conditioned responses.

I think it is up to the individual to train in this manner, if this is what you are seeking from your Karate experience and are not at a club which caters to you. This can be relatively easy to do- grab a friend in the park and have some fun with a variety of unorthodox swings, haymakers, or unexpected movements. In doing this see what comes naturally and build off of those same things you liked about Rory Millers responses (protect, attack, and close distance simultaneously).

I did this for a bit and have now got a response from Heain-Nidan's first movement (hands make a box around the head) that allows me to crash the line while covered and impact with my forearms into the next set of movements. The more techniques and Kata you have to draw on, mean the more options you have in training- however you still only train a couple (maybe a few) responses to this degree, so as you said, you won't freeze from analysis paralysis.

The first few Kata that come to mind for me (from Shotokan) are: Heain-Nidan, Heain-Yondan, Kanku-dai, and Bassai-Sho. But I'm just thinking of the first sequence of movements. There are lots of options out there, look to your techniques, be creative and through in your drilling, and keep the best options. Have fun and good luck in training.